Christopher M. Traudt, MD

"Caring for infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit combines my interest in science with my passion for helping children. Babies born many weeks early show few outward signs of the life-threatening problems they are experiencing. You need to think like a scientist to determine how to help them. I love being involved in research that improves care for these extremely fragile infants. I also love guiding parents through their child's stay in the NICU. The joy in their faces when they finally go home with their baby is incredibly rewarding."

Christopher M. Traudt, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Traudt balances responsibilities of patient care and research. He does bedside teaching of medical students, pediatrics residents and fellows. He His clinical interests focus on family centered care and neuroprotection. He helps expecting families by providing guidance in the Prenatal Diagnosis Clinic. He is co-investigator on basic science and clinical research projects, ranging from cerebellar development after brain injury and neuroprotection using erythropoietin.

The application of family centered care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU can be very intimidating to parents and he believes that care of the infant is incomplete without parental guidance throughout the NICU stay.

Research Description

Improving neurodevelopment outcomes of infants in the NICU. He is investigating the effects of neonatal brain injury on cerebellum development. Ex- preterm infants are known to have several long-term difficulties including Autism like features, learning impairments and motor impairments which are associated with cerebellar injury. How brain injury affects cerebellar development is unknown, however several studies have shown that the cerebellar development is impaired by preterm birth. He along with Drs. Juul and Studholme will be studying how head bleeds affects cerebellum growth to be able to design trails of neuroprotection.

Seattle Children’s complies with applicable federal and other civil rights laws and does not discriminate, exclude people or treat them differently based on race, color, religion (creed), sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin (ancestry), age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Financial assistance for medically necessary services is based on family income and hospital resources and is provided to children under age 21 whose primary residence is in Washington, Alaska, Montana or Idaho.